John Curtis Foster's uncle was a Buffalo Soldier who served in World War I. Young Foster was drafted in 1940 and was part of an artillery brigade when his ability to type landed him a job as company clerk. He arrived in Africa in March 1944 and Naples that summer and saw the arrival of the 370th Combat Team of the 92nd Division. During a period of racial tension with white officers, Foster was transferred to the 370th and became part of a communications platoon, following soldiers into battle and laying wire to stay in touch with other units. In his memoir he writes, "It was hard to see any soldier killed on the battle front. It was devastating to see this happen to someone you knew."